Wrench



I Sept. 30, 1941.

WRENCH Filed Jan. 9,1940

CIttorneg J. cs. GAVLAK 2,257,460

Patented Sept. 30, 1941 jyjU NlTED STATE s PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

invention relates to wrenches, and while primarily designed and intended for use in tightening and releasing screw thread engaging lids of banning jars and the like, it will be obvious that the device may be employed for any other purposes wherein it is found to be applicable.

, Important objects and advantages of the in vention are to provide a wrench of the character described, which will greatly facilitate the tightening or removal or screw thread engaged canning jar lids, which embodies an adjustable gripping band adaptable to any size lid of the typestated, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, durable and. efficient in its use, positive in its action, conveniently operable, and comparatively economical in its manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds,

the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts herein specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, but it is to be understood that changes in the form, proportions and details of construction may be resorted to that come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a top plan view of a wrench constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view thereof.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of a modified form of the device.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a device embodying the principle of the invention, and employing a stationary type of holder.

Figure 5 is a rear elevational view of the stationary holder.

Referring in detail to the drawing I denotes the entire actuating member in the form of an operating handle, which includes a pair of fulcrum heads, respectively indicated at 2 and 3. The latter are preferably formed integral'with the forward end of the operating handle, and are spaced from each other by an interposed connecting slot 4, which latter extends longitudinally and is formed with a rounded enlarged portion 5 intermediate the ends thereof.

The fulcrum heads 2 and 3 are identical, and have curved working faces 6, and project laterally outward in opposed relation to each other at respective sides of the connecting slot 4. The

working faces 6 and the wall of the connecting slot are of considerable and preferably of uni-.

form width, and are continuations of each other.

A flexible gripping band 1, constructed of any suitable flexible material preferably rubberized textile fabric strip material, of considerable width, is securely but detachably connected to the operating handle I. Such connection is effected by inserting a portion of the band, doubled upon itself as indicated at 8, into the connecting slot 4, and then driving a locking pin 9 between the inserted double band portion 8, to securely wedge the latter into the enlarged portion 5 of the connecting slot 4, as clearly illustrated in Figure l. The inserted double band portion 8 may be continuous or may comprise two separate ends, as shown, but regardless of which form is employed, its connection in the slot in the manner described is equally effective in providing a fixed attachment of the band portion 8 in the connecting slot.

The gripping band I may be provided with an adjusting element, and an adjusting device Ill of the conventional roller type is shown embodied in the disclosures of the invention in Figures 1 and 2. Such adjusting device allows the adaptation of the invention to various sizes jar lids, in connection with which the device is primarily intended to be used.

In practice the gripping band I is positioned to surround a canning jar lid. By grasping the operating handle I and forcing same laterally to the left, the working face 6 of the fulcrum head 2 will function to constrict and tension the gripping band around the jar lid, whereby the latter may be forced in the clockwise direction to the closed position. By forcing the handle laterally to the right, the working face 6 of the fulcrum head 3 will function to constrict and tension around the jar lid, whereby the latter may be forced in the counterclockwise direction to the released position.

It will here be noted that the operating handle I may be provided with only one fulcrum head, but such construction would obviously necessitate the reversal of the gripping band on the jar lid to place the required fulcrum action at the proper side of the operating handle to eiiect the desired directional movement of the engaged jar lid, in the manner above set forth.

In the modification disclosed in Figure 3, the invention is embodied in a pipe wrench, and comprises an operating handle H provided with a fulcrum head l2. A flexible band in the form of a suitable chain l3, preferably having gripping teeth M, has one end pivotally connected to the handle I while the other end thereof carries an adjusting member I5 adapted for connection to a laterally projecting lug l6, which is formed integral with said handle.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 5 is primarily intended for securely holding a canning jar against rotation while the lid of the latter is being tightened or released. This embodiment comprises a stationary type of holder I! including a flat securing plate 18 adapted to be fixed in position by means of screws and the like. The plate is provided with a forwardly curved front wall l9 and with a rearwardly curved rear wall 20. The latter is relatively short and is spaced rearwardly from said front wall I9.

direction, it is evident that the former will be constricted and tensioned to securely hold the jar against rotation in said band.

The present invention provides a most durable and efiicient device of its kind, which may be inexpensively manufactured, and successfully and conveniently employed for the purpose and in the manner set forth.

What I claim is:

1. A wrench comprising the combination of an operating handle, a pair of fulcrum heads carried 7 by said handle and projecting laterally outward The walls l9 and 20 extend vertically and at right angles to the disposition of the plate l8. The front wall I9 is provided with a Vertical, relatively wide central slot 2|, and with a pair of similarly disposed side slots 22, and the rear wall 20 is provided with a centrally disposed'vertical slot 23.

A flexible gripping band 23 is connected to the holder I! by passing the end portions of the former rearwardly through the front wall center slot 2|, rearwardly through the rear wall slot :23,'around respective rear face portions of the rear wall 20, forwardly through the front wall center slot 2|, outwardly of the entering portions of said band 23, and rearwardly through respective front wall side slots 22, as clearly :illustrated in Figure 4. Such devious fiexures involved in the connection of the band 23 will provide the latter with a non-slippage attachment with the holder l1. When the band surrounds a jar and the latter is shifted laterally in either in opposed and spaced relation to each other, the spaced relation of said heads providing a slot having an enlarged portion between said heads, a flexible gripping band having the ends thereof disposed in said slot, and a locking pin engaged between said ends to force the latter into the enlarged portion of said slot for securely attaching said ends in said slot.

2. A wrench of the character described comprising the combination of an operating handle, 7

heads, a flexible gripping band having the ends thereof disposed in said slot, a locking pin'en gaged between said ends to force the latter into the enlarged portion of said slot for securely attaching said ends in said slot, and means carried by said gripping band for adjusting the latter.

JOSEPH G. GAVLAK. 

